Baltimore Orioles - TeamReport

The most volatile aspect of baseball is the unpredictable nature of bullpens. That fact has never been more on display than in the American League Division Series for the Orioles.

Baltimore was 76-0 when leading after seven innings entering Wednesday. But for the first time this season, the Orioles lost a late lead and lost the game.

Pinch hitter Raul Ibanez hit with a game-tying homer off Orioles closer Jim Johnson in the ninth and a walk-off blast off lefty Brian Matusz in the 12th as the Yankees won, 3-2.

The home run ended a string of 16 straight extra-inning games won by the Orioles.

It seemed shocking that Ibanez was even called upon -- a solid veteran nearing the end of a lengthy career, pinch-hitting for Hall of Fame-caliber slugger Alex Rodriguez with one out and the Yankees down one run in the ninth.

Manager Joe Girardi's unconventional call went well.

The Orioles' streak eventually had to come to an end. Their late-inning dominance turned into extra-inning dominance until it came crashing down Wednesday.

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MLB Team Report - Baltimore Orioles - NOTES, QUOTES

--3B Manny Machado became the first player 21 or younger to homer in a Division Series game with his fifth-inning blast Wednesday. He is the second-youngest to homer in a postseason game in history. Andruw Jones was 19 when he homered for Atlanta in the 1996 World Series.

--2B Ryan Flaherty homered in the second inning for the first postseason home run by an Oriole since 1997. He combined with Manny Machado to become the first pair of rookie teammates to homer in the same game in postseason history.

--RHP Miguel Gonzalez turned in a brilliant outing for the Orioles that ended up being washed out by the Yankees' Raul Ibanez late heroics. The rookie allowed one run on no walks while striking out eight. He threw 99 pitches.

--RHP Jim Johnson surrendered a game-tying homer in the ninth inning Wednesday, marking the second time in three games he's allowed the Yankees back into games they eventually won. Johnson's ERA in the Division Series climbed to 13.50.

--LHP Brian Matusz ended a run of consecutive spotless innings by surrendering the game-winner Wednesday. He hadn't allowed a run since giving up one in an 8-5 loss to the Yankees on Sept. 7. It was just the third run he has allowed since moving to the bullpen and returning to the team in August.

--LHP Joe Saunders will start Game 4 for the Orioles. Saunders started the wild card showdown in Texas on Friday and hasn't pitched since.

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Hits, by CF Adam Jones, from the Nos. 2-6 batters in 23 at-bats Wednesday

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You've got to got over it quick. We have to come back tomorrow." -- RHP Jim Johnson following the Game 3 loss.

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MLB Team Report - Baltimore Orioles - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--DH/1B Wilson Betemit (sore right wrist) re-injured his wrist in batting practice Sept. 14, and he hasn't played since. He could be out for the rest of the postseason.

--RF Nick Markakis (broken left thumb) was hurt Sept. 8. He underwent surgery Sept. 11, and he is unlikely to return before late October.

--RHP Oliver Drake (right shoulder tendinitis) was called up from the minors and placed on the 60-day disabled list Sept. 29.

--LHP Randy Wolf (torn ulnar collateral ligament in left elbow) went on the 60-day disabled list Sept. 26. He might undergo a second Tommy John surgery.

--2B Brian Roberts (torn labrum in right hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 2, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 9. He played one rehab game for short-season Aberdeen on July 28, then was shut down. He had season-ending surgery Aug. 3.

--1B Nick Johnson (sprained right wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list June 28, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 17. He had a cortisone injection in his right wrist July 13, but he wasn't making much progress as of early August. He was declared out for the season in early September.

--LF Nolan Reimold (bulging disk in neck) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 1, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 12. He had an epidural injection May 11. He's been dealing with persistent back and neck issues. He received a second epidural injection in mid-May, and he reported to the club's Sarasota, Fla., facility in late May. He underwent surgery June 25 to remove a bulging disk from his neck and fuse two vertebrae together. He is likely out for the season.

--RHP Stu Pomeranz (pulled left oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 6. He missed a scheduled throwing session Aug. 6 due to discomfort in his leg related to a back injury.

--LHP Tsuyoshi Wada (torn left elbow ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 28, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 7. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery May 11.